Alumni Profile: Meet Brittany Hoke, Anchor/Reporter, WTAE-TV Alumni Profile
Meet Brittany Hoke
- Job Title & Employer
- Weekend Evening Anchor/Reporter, WTAE-TV
- Major/Program
- Broadcast Reporting
- Graduation
- 2010
- Hometown
- Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
- High School
- Connellsville Area High School
- Now Living In
- Penn Hills, Pa.
- Hobbies & Interests
My husband and I became mostly vegan a few years ago, and I've fallen in love with learning how to cook for our new lifestyle. I spend most of my weekends in the kitchen testing out recipes and coming up with my own. I also like experimenting with photography and, because I love to cook, most of my photos end up being of food. Yes, I'm one of those people. If I wasn't in news, I'd love to be a food blogger! I also love being outside, so I spend a lot of time trying out new running and hiking trails. Unless it's winter, then my hobbies are never going outside and avoiding the cold as much as possible.
"I think Point Park is one of the most well-connected schools in the area. Our professors worked in the industry in Pittsburgh, which is huge. Learning from them and being able to go to them for advice long after graduation day has been invaluable."
Note: Brittany Hoke left WTAE in January 2021
What role has your Point Park education played in your work as an anchor/reporter at WTAE-TV?
First and foremost, I think Point Park is one of the most well-connected schools in the area. Our professors worked in the industry in Pittsburgh, which is huge (Paul Coatsworth and Bill Moushey to name a few). Learning from them and being able to go to them for advice long after graduation day has been invaluable.
I also don't know that I would be at WTAE if it wasn't for the internships I had while attending Point Park. I'm so thankful they encourage their students to seek them out. I did three total, two at WTAE, in both news and creative services. I credit the relationships I made then to helping me get back home.
What do you enjoy most about your job and why?
The relationships I get to build with people in my community. People are interesting. I'm lucky to have a job that introduces me to different personalities on a daily basis. And the best part is when a story I'm doing is actually helping someone. I also love that I'm constantly learning something new. This can be intimidating sometimes when I'm covering something of which I have no previous knowledge, but I've gotten really comfortable with asking people to explain things several times if I need them to!
What career advice do you have for our School of Communication students?
Don't give up. This business can be hard and it's constantly changing. Be open to learning every position, because —especially in the early years — you'll likely have to do it all. It will be stressful at times and you'll make mistakes, but if you love it, you can get where you want to be. And read everything, even if you don't find it particularly interesting. Useful information and story ideas are everywhere.
What are your favorite Point Park memories?
I loved all the time I spent with my roommates. One of them is even a producer at WPXI. We're sort of rivals now, but I love her anyway. I also had a blast working on all of the shows we produced in the Point Park TV studio. And the trips! If you have the chance to go on any, GO!